Question

what shift in power occurred as a result of the rise of feudalism after the fall of rome? power shifted to local lords and away from centralized authority. power shifted to merchants. power shifted to the church only. power shifted to the emperor.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the feudal system after Rome's fall:

• Feudalism is a decentralized system where local lords (nobles) held power over their lands, as centralized Roman authority collapsed.
• Merchants didn’t gain primary power in feudalism (mercantilism came later).
• The church shared power with lords, not "only" the church.
• Emperors had limited centralized power in feudal Europe (unlike Rome’s empire).

Thus, power shifted to local lords from centralized authority.

Answer:

A. Power shifted to local lords and away from centralized authority.